Portable device and system for rapid detection of a bacterial cell in fluid samples

Abstract

A system for rapid analysis of a fluid sample for detection of at least one viable microbial organism therein. The system comprises a cartridge that is demountably engageable with a reader component. The cartridge has a first well receiving a fluid sample, with a second well and third well imbedded under portions of the first well. The second well has a sensor configured to send a reference signal to the reader component, while the third well has a sensor configured to send a sample signal to the reader component. When in use, the cartridge is engaged with the reader component and a fluid sample is placed into the first well. The reader component controllably illuminates the third well and comprises a detector that detects differences in photocurrent and/or spectra between the reference signal and the sample signal from the illuminated third well.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for rapid analysis of a fluid sample for detection of at least one viable microbial organism therein, the system comprising:
 a reader component comprising a housing containing therein:
 an illumination supply in communication with a port extending to a selected target site on an outer casing, 
 circuitry for controlling the illumination supply, 
 a potentiostat; 
 circuitry interconnecting the potentiostat with one or more receptacles; 
 a detector configured for detecting one or more differences in photocurrent outputs between a reference source and a sample source; 
 wherein said reader component is configured for electronic communication with a microprocessor for modulation of the circuitry for controlling the illumination supply and for modulation of the potentiostat; and 
   at least one cartridge comprising a casing with a tab extending outward from a side surface of the casing, the tab configured for demountable engagement with the one or more receptacles,
 a first well extending downward from an upper surface of the casing, said first well configured for receiving a fluid sample therein, 
 a second well imbedded in the casing underneath a first portion of the first well, said second well having a screen printed electrode housing therein a counter electrode having a terminal end exposed at the tab and a reference electrode having a terminal end exposed at the tab; 
 a third well imbedded in the casing underneath a second portion of the first well, said third well having a light-addressable potentiometric sensor with an upper surface having a layer of functionalized pH-sensitive hydrogel nanofibers thereon, said light-addressable potentiometric sensor having a working electrode having a terminal end exposed at the tab; 
 wherein a bottom surface of the casing has a bore extending upward to about a bottom surface of the third well, said bore configured for communication with the port; 
 and wherein the screen printed electrode is configured to communicate a reference signal to the detector and the light-addressable potentiometric sensor is configured to communicate a sample signal to the detector. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is provided with a USB port interconnected with the circuitry for controlling the illumination supply and with the potentiostat. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the reader component is configured for wireless communication with a microprocessor, said microprocessor configurable for communication with and modulation of one or more of the circuitry for controlling the illumination supply, the potentiostat, and the detector. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is a single-use disposable cartridge. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more receptacles comprise 8 to 12 receptacles.